BRIDGE TALKSTourism Reset:
Regenerate. Humanize. Lead.

27 November, 2025 | 2 pm
LISBON

Download the Event Program

Echoes of Heritage: Reimagined Through Tech

Join us for a WOW moment where cultural heritage becomes a living laboratory, reinterpreted through immersive technology—an encounter between what once formed us and the futures we choose to create.

A National Commitment: The Future Portugal Needs

The first talk will begin with a special message from the Secretary of State for Tourism, reinforcing tourism as a strategic lever for Portugal’s future positioning in a globalised world.

Pedro Machado
Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade and Services

José Borralho will then challenge the status-quo by bringing a disruptive lens on how Portugal must rethink value creation, consumer behaviour and the future of choice — pushing us beyond incrementalism and into new mental models for national competitiveness.

José Borralho
CIO (Chairman & Inspiration Officer) - Consumerchoice, Product of the Year

(R)evolution: When Standing Still Means Falling Behind

In this talk, we will explore how innovation and transformation are redefining the future of tourism in Portugal. Through the voices of visionary leaders and changemakers, we will discuss why staying still is no longer an option — and how embracing change, technology, and human potential is essential to lead in a rapidly evolving world.

Moderador: Filipa Guedes de Campos
GuestCentric Systems, Commercial Director EMEA

Luis Drummond Borges
Board Member at Lusíadas Saúde & Associação Portuguesa de Hospitalizaçao Privada

Nuno António
Data Scientist, NOVA IMS

Nuno Gustavo
PhD & Habilitation in Tourism, Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril

Verónica Soares Franco
Executive Committee Member & CHRO at Pestana Hotel Group

Inspiring Practices: Leading the Change from Within

In this session, we will highlight inspiring practices that demonstrate how change begins from within organizations and individuals. Six leaders will share concrete examples of transformation across key dimensions shaping the future of tourism: sustainability, technology, audiences, humanization, talent and life learning. Together, these stories reveal how Portugal can lead by example — creating a tourism ecosystem that is innovative, human-centered, and regenerative.

Moderator: Roberto Antunes
Executive Director NEST Centro de Inovação do Turismo | Director Health & Tourism Lab @ Nova Medical School

Candy Flores
Co-founder and CEO | Madalia World

Isabel Rocha
Vice-Rector for Innovation and International Relations | Nova University Lisbon

Joaquim Ferreira
CEO CNS, Diretor Clinico e Neurologista

Nuno Sepúlveda
Co-Chief Executive Officer, DETAILS | Golf & Leisure Destination Specialist

Rui Mota
Chef, Professor and Food Designer

Sérgio Ferreira
Customer & Digital Experiences Partner, EY Consulting

Learning Journeys: Education as the New Frontier in Tourism

This talk explores how learning has become a central driver of tourism innovation, shaping new models such as educational travel, cultural immersion, and transformative experiences. By bridging education and tourism, we open pathways for lifelong learning that transcend classrooms and borders, cultivating curiosity, empathy, and global citizenship.

Moderator: Nélia Câmara
Executive Education NOVA FCT Director

Catarina Paiva
Board Member @ Turismo de Portugal

Eurico Cabrita
Dean Research & Innovation NOVA FCT

Goran Yordanov
Director of Enrollment, Regional Diretor Central Europe and Nordics, Sommet Education

Graham Miller
Westmont Institute, SBE

Inês Perez
COO @ NOVA Tourism and Hospitality

Paulo Medina
Wine Tourism Director

The event will open with a welcoming session that sets the stage for a day dedicated to ideas, dialogue, and transformation. It will highlight the vital role of tourism in shaping a more sustainable, human-centered, and innovative future for Portugal.

Throughout the afternoon, participants will explore key dimensions of change — from regeneration and technology to humanization, talent, and learning — through inspiring talks and conversations with leaders who are driving the evolution of the sector.

We will conclude with a powerful and immersive moment celebrating our heritage and collective commitment to building the future Portugal needs.

Pedro Machado

Secretário Estado Turismo, Comércio e Turismo

Turismo de Portugal

José Borralho

CIO (Chairman & Inspiration Officer) & President

Consumer Choice, APTECE and SKOO

Filipa Guedes de Campos

Commercial Director, EMEA

GuestCentric

Luis Drummond Borges

PhD & Tourism Habilitation

Lusíadas Saúde

Nuno António

Data Scientist

NOVA IMS

Nuno Gustavo

PhD & Tourism Habilitation

Escola Superior de Hotelaria do Estoril

Verónica Soares Franco

Executive Committee Member & CHRO

Pestana Hotel Group

Roberto Antunes

Executive Director

NEST Centro de Inovação do Turismo

Candy Flores

Co-Founder & CEO

Madalia World

Isabel Rocha

Vice- Rector for Innovation & International Relations

NOVA University

Joaquim Ferreira

Presidente

Campus Neurológico (CNS), Santa Cruz Movement & Nature House

Nuno Sepúlveda

Co-Chief Executive Officer | Golf & Leisure Destination Specialist

DETAILS

Rui Mota

Chef, Professor and Food Designer

Nélia Câmara

Executive Education Director

NOVA FCT

Catarina Paiva

Board Member

Turismo de Portugal

Eurico Cabrita

Vice-Dean Research & Innovation

NOVA FCT

Goran Yordanov

Director of Enrollment, Postgraduate Global, Regional Diretor Central Europe and Nordics, Sommet Education

Consumer Choice, APTECE and SKOO

Graham Miller

Westmont Institute

SBE

Inês Perez

COO

NOVA Tourism and Hospitality

Paulo Medina

Wine Tourism Diretor

Sogrape

Sérgio Ferreira

Customer & Digital Experiences Partner

EY Consulting

Bridge Talks are free events promoted by NOVA FCT Executive Education, designed to foster meaningful connections between academia and business, explore transformative ideas and build bridges that shape a sustainable and prosperous future. Each talk addresses a relevant topic, providing a platform for thought leaders to share insights and innovations.

Why we call it Bridge Talks?

Firstly, NOVA FCT is located in the south side of the bridge...

Secondly, it is aligned with our mission: “Bridging to meet the future: lifelong learning in Science and Tech”.

...and finally...

because our goal is to establish bridges between academia and business, fostering collaboration that leverages the strengths of both worlds.

How we think shapes the world around us, and our ways of thinking are formed through our learning and collaboration with others. We believe that lifelong learning is more important than knowledge. We have tools, faculty and researchers to develop and deliver how to do it. We know, and we believe, that the future demands more from technology and science, and we know how to teach and experience it in a good way. We are ready to make a difference by equipping society with the knowledge, skills, and adaptability needed to navigate and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of tomorrow.

BRIDGE TALKSTourism Reset:
Regenerate. Humanize. Lead.

Connecting. Discovering. Bridging the Future.
See you in:

Join us! The Future Tourism & Hospitality Needs

Echoes of Heritage: Reimagined Through Tech

Talks and Sessions

A National Commitment: The Future Portugal Needs

(R)evolution: When Standing Still Means Falling Behind

Inspiring Practices: Leading the Change from Within

Learning Journeys: Education as the New Frontier in Tourism

Additional highlight moments